The mood is upbeat and the tourism pipeline looks strong in the Middle East. TTN speaks to the industry to find out what’s in store
WITH eight new hotel openings lined up across the Middle East, the Rotana Group is extremely bullish about 2012. Tourism in the UAE continued to record solid growth in 2011, with Dubai hotels recording a growth of about 10 per cent year-on-year and in Abu Dhabi, data for the first seven months of 2011 showed a 15 per cent year-on-year increase in tourists. Selim El Zyr, president & CEO of Rotana Group said, “The twin engines of UAE tourism industry, Emirates & Etihad Airlines will help ensure growth in the short/long term and will continue to aggressively market the UAE in key generator markets. We must admit that both airlines in addition to Air Arabia & flyDubai play a big role in boosting tourism in the UAE and most important to promote the UAE worldwide.”
El Zyr believes that the UAE will continue to capture the imagination and attention of the world as it continues to add world-class infrastructure, develop iconic projects and host international events boosting its image and increasing tourism.
“Diversification into new tourism segments (sports, eco, medical, budget), opening of new generator markets (India, Russian, China, US, Africa), enhanced and diversified transportation infrastructure, and channels (new cruise terminal, budget carriers) all point towards a very healthy future for the tourism and hospitality industry,” he added. Business travel too has seen strong growth as the UAE is not only a hub destination but the main platform for conducting business in the region now.
However the rest of the region proved slightly more challenging. “We have certainly been affected in Syria and Egypt and we are hoping that the situation will settle down quite soon. Syria’s situation is still critical, however, Rotana’s four resorts in Egypt, the five-star Grand Rotana Resort & Spa – Sharm El Sheikh and the four-star Coral Beach Rotana Resorts in Tiran, Montazah and Hurghada are all witnessing a steady increase in leisure business since the difficult times faced in Egypt and its impact on tourism. Airlines from the UK and the traditional European feeder markets to Sharm and Hurghada are their flights as of December and Rotana Resorts are already gearing up to welcome guests.
“Last year at the World Travel Market in London, we exhibited under the tourism destination stand as well and this part of our efforts to rebuild Egypt, in line with the government’s efforts, and to strengthen our presence within the UK market” added El Zyr.
Rotana will continue working with all channels to increase the business and maintain market share across all markets. The group has enhanced their market coverage through sales offices in the Middle East, our International sales office in the UK, Germany, India, China and Moscow. “This is addition to our marketing campaigns, various packages, social media activities and of course public relations” he concluded.
Some of the key openings lined up for Rotana in 2012 include the Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana and the Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana, Dubai, both opening Q2 2012. Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana, Jordan (Opening Q1 2012), Centro Capital Centre, Abu Dhabi (Opening Q2 2012), Capital Centre Rotana, Abu Dhabi (Opening Q3 2012), Salalah Rotana Resort & Spa, Oman (Opening Q4 2012), City Centre Rotana, Doha (Opening Q3 2012) and Majestic Arjaan by Rotana, Bahrain (Opening Q4 2012).